Mets non-tender catcher Ronny Paulino, outfielder Mike Baxter

William Perlman/Star-LedgerThe Mets elected not to retain Ronny Paulino for 2012.

The Mets pruned a pair of superfluous pieces from their 40-man roster this evening, non-tendering backup catcher Ronny Paulino and reserve outfielder Mike Baxter. They did so in order to make space for new additions Frank Francisco and Jon Rauch.

In turn, the team offered contracts to reliever Manny Acosta, starter Mike Pelfrey, reliever Ramon Ramirez and outfielder Andres Torres. All are due raises through arbitration. These decisions were not a surprise: Acosta is affordable and effective, Ramirez and Torres are new additions expected to contribute, Pelfrey is sturdy and reliable.

Three other players were added to the organization today. The team claimed Jeremy Hefner, a 25-year-old righty starter, off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and added him to the 40-man roster. They also signed lefty Garrett Olson and catcher Lucas May to minor-league deals. Both were invited to major-league camp.

Terry Collins entrusted Pelfrey (7-13, 4.74 ERA) as his Opening Day starter last April. It was downhill from there. With his nerves jangling, he blundered through the first month of the season. Without a sustainable offspeed pitch, he spent the last month of the season unable to miss bats. In between, he allowed a career-high 21 homers.

Still, he managed to stay healthy. The team can depend on him to throw close to 200 innings at an affordable price (somewhere between $5 million and $6 million).

Paulino was not as valuable. He disappointed last season.

Because of his 2010 suspension for violating the league’s drug policy, Paulino experienced visa trouble last spring. His arrival in Port St. Lucie was delayed. When he got to camp, he pledged to win the starting job from Josh Thole. As Thole faltered early on, Paulino had his chance.

But he failed to deliver. At the plate, he provided little power. Behind the plate, he struggled to establish a rhythm with pitchers. Multiple team officials cited his disregard for both pre-game preparation and in-game adjustments.

Now he is gone, and it appears Mike Nickeas will replace him as the backup catcher. Before the Winter Meetings, the Mets considered finding a veteran free agent for that role. But they scanned the market in Dallas. The prices were high, and the players were flawed. Why not just save that money, one team official suggested at the Hilton Anatole, and spend it on relievers? They splurged — relatively — with $9.5 million spent on Francisco and Rauch.

Meanwhile, Baxter may come back. The Mets are interested in retaining him on a minor-league deal. Baxter is a Queens native.